Sandlin+v.+Johnson

** Week # 1 Wiki Court Case ** ** Sandlin v. Johnson, 643 F.2d 1027 (4th Cir. 1980 **   United States Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit.    Argued Nov. 14, 1980. Decided March 11, 1981
 * Randall McCarty **

Background: Following the 1977-78 school year an entire class save one student was denied promotion to the third grade for not passing a requisite reading series in the Pittsylvania Public School System. The students, plaintiffs, do not deny not passing the required series but do claim the capability of reading on a third grade level. Brown v. Board established in 1954 the Equal Protection Clause which stated that segregated school facilities where unconstitutional. Though the plaintiffs tried to say they were not protected under the equal protection law, no discrimination based on race, religion, or wealth was evident in the school’s actions and thus Brown v. Board was irrelevant in this instance. The students do maintain they were not adequately or properly taught. The school contends that there was no negligence on the part of the teachers and though the students may have had the capabilities to read at third grade level they did not do so at a progressive or mastery level. Decision and Rationale: The plaintiffs demanded to be taught the third grade material again at no charge to the plaintiff before the fourth grade school year began, but the defendants moved to dismiss and were denied. However, “the district court dismissed the suit on the ground that federal courts should abstain from resolving controversies which involve the administration by a state or subdivision of its own affairs.” The dismissal of the suit altogether was upheld and it was decided that no judicial court was fit to make decisions concerning educational promotions and that it should be left in the hands of the educational system. Impact on Teaching: Teachers ought to do the very best they can given the provided resources and personal ability to educated each student beyond the level at which they first encountered them. If, the educational system has truly and sincerely done its best at educating a student, and still the student, due to their own insubordination and deliberate ignorance, does not develop the appropriate skills to advance, then the teacher and administration should not be held liable for the student’s failure to learn. Teachers are to be held accountable for their performance in the classroom but not penalized for students who do not take advantage of the privilege of a free and appropriate education.

Quiz Question: According to Sandlin v. Johnson who is more fit to make decisions concerning grade advancement - a judicial court or a school's adminstration?

**Joc'Lene Alston**

**Week #4**

**United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit**

**Argued:** Nov. 14, 1980

**Decided:** March 11, 1981

**Background:** In Pittsville County, VA at Whitmell Elementary School, a second grade class filed suit against the school sytem when all but one student failed to be promoted to the third grade. The class contained 22 students of various races. The students were retained fter failing the Ginn Reading Series. The plaintiffs alleged that they were capable of reading at a third grade level and was delayed because of negligence on the part of the school. They also claimed that being retained would cause them irreparable damage to thier self-image, delay future employment, and harm their well-being. The defendants argued that promotion would only be counterproductive and harmful to the plaintiffs' success. The assessments were provided by the district. The defendants contended that the second grade students were treated fairly and without bias.

The plaintiffs failed to meet the burdon of proof. The test was found not to be triggered through gender discrimination or gender discrimination. Because of this, the rational basis was applicable. The court also found that the perceived duty of the teachers or school boards to give an education is unfounded and that it sounded in tort. Teir claim that the teachers are obligated does not rise to the level of a constitutional claim and that it was not cognizable in an action pursuant to 42 U.S.C . § 1983. The 4th Circuit Court : "We decline to further enlarge judicial presence in the academic community and thereby risk deterioration of many beneficial aspects of the faculty-student relationship." The case was dismissed.
 * Decision and Rational: **

The decision emphasizes the use of assessment in regards to curriculum guidelines and promotion standards. The decision to retain the students were soley based on test scores and not on teacher performance. This is not a good thing. This decsion punishes the child and does not hold the teacher accountable. The fact that all but one student in this second grade class failed is a direct reflection of the teacher and should have been embarrassing for the teacher. The decision to dismiss the case only gave the teacher an outlet. The decision did not solve the problems or concerns of the students in this case.
 * Impact on Teaching: **

True or False: In the case of Sandlin V. Johnson, the teachers and administrators were held accountable for thier students' failings.